Fenwick denies accusation but...
Caledonia fume at Jabloteh 'poachers'
By: Lasana Liburd (Express).
Neal & Massy Caledonia AIA have accused defending league champions, Clico San Juan Jabloteh, of trying to poach their captain and St Lucian star Sheldon Emmanuel and are contemplating a formal complaint to the Pro League executive committee.
Emmanuel, 28, is yet to report for duty this year although he is under contract with Caledonia for the 2008 season. Emmanuel spent the pre-season with United States Major League Soccer (MLS) outfit, FC Dallas, but failed to agree to personal terms with the club.
Caledonia coach and founding member Jamaal Shabazz told the Express that he telephoned Emmanuel in St Lucia on the eve of their April 19 Pro League clash with Defence Force and asked the player to return for the game.
Shabazz claimed that Emannuel asked for more time away as he allegedly received an offer from Jabloteh that he was considering and found "difficult to refuse".
"I know exactly who is doing this dirty work for Jabloteh," said Shabazz, "and I am appalled that they continue this blatant flouting of the rules and this 'who have more corn, feed more fowl' attitude.
"I am very, very disappointed."
Jabloteh announced the capture of Emmanuel's signature before the start of the 2007 season only for the player to make a late about-turn. The versatile St Lucian, who is comfortable virtually anywhere in defence and midfield, led Caledonia in a thrilling title chase last year although the club faltered at the death and ended in fourth place.
Not to be undone, Jabloteh started 2008 by declaring Caledonia star and 2007 Pro League MVP, Marvin Oliver, to be their property although he was still under contract with the "Eastern Stallions".
Shabazz could not sway Oliver's desire to leave, though, and Caledonia accepted a $20,000 fee for his services in the pre-season. But Jabloteh coach and former England international, Terry Fenwick, insisted on Tuesday that he has no interest in adding Emmanuel to his ranks.
"We are not tapping him up," Fenwick told the Express. "We are quite happy with what we've got I tried to get (Emmanuel) last year and I just think he messed us around.
"He is an okay player but not someone who I would want in my back four."
Caledonia stuck to their story, though, and insisted that two Jabloteh representatives-on Fenwick's instructions-have been in constant contact with Emmanuel.
The Pro League's transfer window closed on April 25 and Emmanuel cannot swap clubs in the near future unless Caledonia cancel his contract.
In a twist of fate, Caledonia play Jabloteh from 4 p.m. on Saturday at the Larry Gomes Stadium in Malabar. But Shabazz said he would not use Emmanuel as he fears the player is not in the right frame of mind for the contest.
Despite his anger at Jabloteh's alleged indiscretion, Shabazz said he would not stop the player's exit. Emmanuel joined Caledonia seven years ago but the club claimed they would let him leave for considerably less than Oliver.
"When you offer large sums of money to a contracted player," said Shabazz, "it is difficult to expect a player, even under contract, to be motivated to stay with your club.
"If they have an offer on the table that he can't refuse, then no problem big-money Clico Jabloteh. Just give us the money we put out for January, February and March and we will let him go and keep the brotherhood.
"Although the professional thing to do is to squeeze the player, the humanitarian side in us is too strong. Mashallah. (We leave everything up to God)."
Shabazz claimed that Bmobile Joe Public coach Michael McComie and Vibe CT 105 W Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier both showed interest in Caledonia players, within the past week, through the proper channels. He urged Jabloteh to show similar respect to fellow Pro League outfits and promised them a tough time on the field this weekend.
"We see ourselves as a big entity on the field," said Shabazz, "but off the field, we still need to develop in a lot of ways.
"Come this weekend, we look forward to meeting Jabloteh on the field because we know, when the ball rolls, there is no superiority for them despite their heavy financial backing."
Emmanuel will not be in action for either team. But Fenwick has promised to give Oliver his first competitive start for Jabloteh against his former employers.